Eulogy for Landon James Gonzalez
by Rosalyn Gonzalez
Nov 28, 2018
I would first like to thank all of Landon’s friends and family who have gathered together today to honor his memory and life. I would also like to thank anyone gathering to support those who are grieving the loss of Landon, as this burden is not easy to carry. The generosity of people who have poured in from all over has been some of the only light in this dark time. We are grateful for every message of comfort, small favor, and meal generously prepared for us. Despite the pain we are in, the chance to gather around all the lives that Landon had an impact on and share stories, photos, and tears has brought us peace that I never would have believed to be possible.
Landon’s sudden death is shocking to many of you in this room. Not everyone knew about his ongoing battle with depression and anxiety, which took him from us on
November 21st, 2018. This is often the case with suicides, especially when the victims are young, and do not yet have the ability to express the pain they were in. Landon was
sick, and he faced the sickness with bravery and strength. It was difficult to determine what could have healed him, and due to the current state of the mental healthcare system, many more lives are currently at risk. How many more deaths will it take before we take this crisis seriously?
It is more important now than ever to remember that this pain that seems so bottomless, unforgiving, and dark is only a result of the deep love we felt for Landon. He gave so much love and light to us, because of this there is no question that my life, and many lives in this room are now marked as before and after this tragedy. For the rest of my life I will struggle with the knowledge that my brother wasn’t allowed the chance to grow old with us. It is almost unbearably painful to imagine what could have been, and it is easy to be engulfed by this pain and lose sight of what was.
His life seems far too short. There are unanswered questions, and the unavoidable guilt that many of us feel. But Landon lived a full, vibrant life that was buzzing with energy,
laughter and warmth. Landon had exponentially more happy moments than sad ones. By some miracle, I was blessed to be this extraordinary human being’s sister. I was so
lucky to be able to watch him grow, and grow alongside him. Because of this, Landon’s character, courage, and energy for life are sewn into the fiber of my being and my soul,
and this is true for everyone who saw Landon’s light. The amount of laughter and joy he brought into this world far outweighs how short of a time he had.
Landon lived life with a sense of bold, brash fearlessness. When he thought something was funny, everyone within a mile radius of him could hear his screaming laughter. His
ridiculous pranks, handshakes, and jokes are well known among anyone close to him. On top of being deeply sympathetic, and caring for his loved ones and pets, Landon had this remarkable talent and intelligence that was so rare and special. I could go down the list things Landon mastered with ease, we’d be here all night. Despite knowing him my
whole life, it would still surprise me that such a goofy, cheeky kid could sit down and, with ease, create a composition on piano that was prodigious and heartrending. His passion for life was magnetic and contagious.
The most important thing to remember is this. You do not have to be strong. Do not be afraid to admit you are suffering. You are loved. Your life is so incredibly precious, and any pain that you may be in now is temporary, as all things in this world are. These beautiful moments we are fleeting. They pass by and we wonder if we appreciated them enough, when instead we should be focusing on the moments that we have. Love each other, hold each other close, look after each other, and place ourselves into God’s loving embrace.
Crisis services
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988lifeline.org
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Veterans, press 1 when calling.
Crisis Text Line
Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
Veterans Crisis Line
Send a text to 838255
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse)
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Also visit your:
- Primary care provider
- Local psychiatric hospital
- Local walk-in clinic
- Local emergency department
- Local urgent care center
Woodlawn Memorial Park Gotha Florida
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